[Mithadan]

Findorfin's Post:

The plan had begun well, they had stayed well back and followed from a distance, Fingil taking the lead. But, as Fingil had worried, the confusing tunnels of the orcs had confounded them and the light which seemed to stay ahead only by a little turned out to be a mere reflection of the light, cast from some mineral in the walls. Suddenly the light had been cut of and they all realised the orcs were now to far ahead to be found. In truth, the elves had lost their quarry.
"We were so close," Torfithien said, in a sorrowful tone, slumping down against the wall.
"We cannot give up," Angore said, roughly. Fingil remained quiet, unsure what to do. After some deep thought, during which he took a deep swig of water from his side, he spoke,"we will carry on anyway and take what may come."
And so they continued into the dark, without a hint of where they should go. Soon they came to against a problem, one tunnel seemed to rise upward, the other dropped steepily futher into the depths of Moria.
They all stopped and Vanimoren stepped forward, "we are low enough already. We should take the upper path."
Fingil strode toward the lower path and knew at once that his companion was correct. Not only did the plan make sense, but he felt something dark down in the depths that transcended all 'lack of light'.
"We will take the upper path," he agreed and they cotinued upward.

The path steepened much as they walked, or climbed as it began to seem, and their progress was much reduced. The tunnel had no turnings and was straight as an arrow. It seemed to suck the life out of them as they trudged along but soon it flattened out again and they could make better time. Angore, as did they all, seemed anxious to reach the end and spurted forward as the mouth of the long tunnel could be dimly made out. The others, heartened by his actions followed and they burst, somewhat foolhardily, into a cavern....and straight into someone.

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Mithadan's Post:


Elladan and Elrohir slinked into the dining hall, keeping to the shadows and seeking the cover of the massive stone pillars. They stayed back near the far wall close to the archway which led to the spiral stair and pulled the black cloaks close about their bodies. It was not long before the hall began to fill with Orcs, many bearing flagons or mugs containing some fiery drink. Elbows were jostled and drinks spilled as the crowd grew tighter and, here and there, fights broke out to the delight of the on-lookers who cheered and hooted their approval.

Then a group of especially large Orcs entered from a tunnel to the side, bearing torches and spears. The fighting subsided and a cry arose from those assembled. "Azog! Azog!" A very massive Orc, wearing a horned helmet and a necklace which appeared to be strung with the teeth of Men climbed upon a dais and called for silence. He raised a great cup and drained it in a single gulp before speaking.

"Tonight's a night for food and fun!" he shouted. "We've prisoners to play with and meats to eat. It's a night for drink and blood to flow! We'll hear them scream and beg and then, when we've had our play, we'll string them up before the gates as a warning to all foul Elves that this is our domain!" A shout arose from the crowd, and mugs were beaten on the tabletops until Elladan feared the noise would bring down the walls. Then Azog turned to his guard and shouted, "Bring up the prisoners!"

Again, the room erupted in a chorus of yells and screams. Four of the great Uruks made their way through the crowd and back toward the archway near where the brothers stood. When they passed, Elladan and Elrohir waited a moment until the crowd's attention shifted back to the Orc Chieftain at the front of the room. Then they clutched their cloaks tightly about them and hurried into the stairway after the Uruks, maintaining their distance but staying within sight of the light of their torches.

The Orcs descended four levels along the spiral stair, then turned and went through a doorway which led into a narrow hall. The brothers followed cautiously, but the Orcs, familiar with their surroundings and fearing no assault, did not look back. Three tunnels exited the passageway on the right. The Orcs selected the second tunnel and shouted as they entered it, "Here we come! Are you wearing your party best?" They were greeted by a scream.

Elrohir almost followed them, upon hearing the cry, but Elladan pulled him back and motioned him to the third tunnel. Elladan himself returned to the first tunnel and crouched there, waiting for the guards to return with their prisoners. He did not have to wait long.

Only a few minutes passed before their footsteps echoed in the hall. Drawing his sword, he leapt out before the lead Orc and slew him with a single stab to the throat. Elrohir, coming from behind, brought his blade down upon the head of the last guard. The remaining two let loose their captives who immediately began striking them about their heads. Elrohir slew the third guard with a quick thrust and stepped forward to seize one of the prisoners. The last fell to Elladan's blade, but even as the Orc slumped to the floor, he turned and slashed at the captive standing behind him. She crumpled to the ground with a cry of pain. Her dirty grey cloak settled over her and almost immediately a red stain began to spread upon it.

"Feaelena!" cried Celebrian. "Feaelena! No!"

Elrohir kneeled by the Elven Maiden and examined her wound. He looked up at his brother and his eyes betrayed what he had seen. Elladan took Celebrian in his arms and knelt beside his twin. Feaelena looked up at Celebrian and smiled weakly. "You see my lady?" she whispered. "There was hope. At least for you. My hope now lies in the West. Farewell!" And with that her spirit fled and her body fell into its final sleep.

Celebrian began to weep bitterly, but Elrohir raised her gently to her feet. "Mother, you may mourn later, just as we will rejoice that you yet live later," he said. "But for now we must flee." The three made their way to the stairway and began to climb. Elladan led the way, his fair Elven face obscured by the Orc hood and cloak. Elrohir and Celebrian followed several steps behind.

They climbed two levels, then a third and a fourth. From the nearby archway, they could hear the cries of the assembled Orcs, yet none came their way. They climbed a fifth level and a sixth. Suddenly a form erupted from a side tunnel and crashed into Elladan, knocking him into the wall. Other figures followed.

Daro, Mellyn!" cried Elrohir and a raised sword halted before it descended upon his brother. It was Fingil who stood there with his companions behind him...

[ September 18, 2003: Message edited by: Mithadan ]